Proverbs 9
1 [It is as though] wisdom [is a woman who] has built a [big] house for herself, and has set up seven columns [to support the roof],
Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
2 and has slaughtered an animal [and cooked the meat], and has mixed [nice spices] in the wine, and has put [the food] on the table.
She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
3 [It is as though then] she sent out her servant women to call out from the highest place in the town,
She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
4 “You people who need to understand more, come in!” And to those who are ignorant, [it is as though] she calls out,
Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that lack understanding she says,
5 “Come and eat the food that I [have prepared], and drink the [good] wine that I have mixed!
Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
6 (Leave/Go away from) [other] foolish people, and [if you do that, you will continue to] live. Walk on the road that will enable you to (have knowledge/know what is true and what is not true).”
Leave folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
7 If you rebuke someone who will not allow others to correct him, he will insult you. If you reprove/scold an evil man, he will hurt you.
He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonor to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
8 Do not rebuke someone who will not allow others to (correct him/tell him what he has done is wrong), because he will hate you for doing that. [But] if you rebuke a wise person, he will respect you.
Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate you: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
9 If you give instruction to wise people, they will become wiser. And if you teach righteous people, they will learn more.
Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
10 If you want to be wise, you must start by revering Yahweh, and if you know God, the Holy One, you will understand [which teachings are wise/true].
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound mind.
11 If you become wise, you will live many years [DOU].
For in this way you shall live long, and years of your life shall be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are the one who will benefit from it; if you ridicule [becoming wise], you are the one who will suffer.
Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbors; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
13 Foolish women talk loudly; they are ignorant and are never ashamed [of the wrong things that they do].
A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.
14 They sit at the doors of their houses [or] they sit on the top [of the hills] in the town,
She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
15 and they call out to the men who are passing by, who are trying to be concerned with their own affairs,
calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
16 “You people who need to understand more, come into [my house]!” And to those who are ignorant, they call out,
[saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,
17 “[Just as] water which you have stolen tastes very good and food that you eat by yourself tastes the best, [if you have sex secretly with someone to whom you are not married, you will enjoy it very much].”
Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
